Pronto

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Purpose

Pronto is a messaging tool that allows students and teachers to experience the ease of text message communication without having to exchange private phone numbers. If faculty choose to use Pronto, it can be accessed within Canvas, on a mobile application, and/or a web desktop application.

Description

Pronto is an all-in-one communication tool designed with mobile communication in mind.  With Pronto, students and teachers can easily send private, small group or whole-class messages. It can also be used to share files, gifs, emojis, and images, and launch on-the-fly video calls. 

Pronto enhances course communication and helps facilitate small-group work.

Screenshot of Pronto in Canvas and in the mobile app.

Here are some of Pronto's key features:

  • easily reach students where they are
  • file-sharing
  • posting animated GIFs, images, and emojis.
  • a video conferencing tool that lets instructors and students create and meet with each other in their own video meetings. This can be used for student study sessions or for live tutoring sessions. These meetings can be recorded to be watched later.
  • a task manager
  • live message translation into another language

Watch the 4-minute Pronto General Overview video to learn about it's key features. Please note that to log into the Pronto mobile app, you should use your SRJC email:

See how one CCC instructor uses Pronto to enhance communication and connection in her courses: Glendale Community College: Canvas and Pronto

How to Use

QR Code for Pronto App
QR Code for Pronto App

Watch the videos below to learn more about Pronto's Canvas integration and how to make the most of Pronto's mobile app. Use the QR code to the right to download the Pronto app.

Test It Out

You can turn Pronto on in a sandbox course shell so that you can test it before going live with your students.  To turn Pronto on or off for a specific course, use their Course Management Tool.  This tutorial covers that process.

Sample Syllabus Language

For this course, we will be utilizing the Pronto messaging tool. It can be accessed in Canvas by clicking on the Pronto icon on the left side of Canvas or by downloading the Pronto app to your mobile phone and logging in via your SRJC email. This is a real-time communication tool where I will be sharing resources, adding announcements, cultivating collaboration, and generally steering the direction of the course week in and week out. I will be monitoring Pronto to answer your questions in the general course group chat or via direct message Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm. As with all communication in the course, I expect you to behave appropriately and treat myself and your fellow students with respect while using Pronto an accordance with SRJC's student conduct policies.  

Tool Information

  • Functionality
    • Cost of Use: SRJC has purchased a district-wide account for the 2023/2024 academic year.
    • Devices:Use with any Windows, Mac, IOS, or Android device
  • Usage and Account Set Up
    • To use the mobile app, follow these instructions to download and login.
    • Privacy: Pronto exceeds privacy requirements and is fully compliant with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other industry regulations. Organizational controls ensure information is accessible to those responsible while limiting access for others.
    • To turn Pronto on or off for a specific course, use their Course Management Tool.  This tutorial covers that process.
    • To turn off the translation feature in Pronto for a specific course, email help@pronto.io.
  • Accessibility
    • Designed to comply with Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act, and levels A and AA of the WCAG v. 2.1.
    • For live video sessions when a deaf or hard of hearing user is present, text comments need to be posted during the chat in lieu of live captions.
    • For live video sessions, text comments are overlaid on the live video. If live video content is too light, text might be harder to see. 
    • For student generated content: to prevent seizures, students should be informed not to post an animated gif that contains flashing content.
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